Our views: What's next for USM football?

Nov. 23, 2012

To say 2012 has been a rough year for the University of Southern Mississippi is a bit of an understatement.

The unexpected resignation of President Martha Saunders. The battle over naming Jeff Hammond the university’s athletic director. The disastrous football season. (Disastrous might actually be too kind of a word.)

It’s no surprise then that many Southern Miss fans and supporters are fed up — beyond fed up.

Among those with the biggest bulls-eye on his back: first-year head coach Ellis Johnson.

For weeks, fans have hoisted signs calling for Johnson’s firing.

Their cries only became louder as the football team’s losses piled up.

Interim President Aubrey Lucas and Hammond have stood behind Johnson all season, but the tune seemed to change a bit this past week.

On Monday, Hammond said no decision would be made on Johnson’s future until after the season finale at Memphis.

“We’re going to let this season play out, and then whatever needs to be done, will always be done in the best interests of this university,” Hammond said.

In August, Johnson signed a four-year contract that will pay him a minimum of about $750,000 annually. According to the contract, Johnson would receive $700,000 for each year remaining on his contract if he were to be relieved of his duties.

That would be a hefty price to pay, especially considering the financial woes of the athletics department.

Johnson says he is well aware of the fan base’s unrest.

“Obviously, what I can’t control is what the decision is, so there’s no reason to dwell on it,” he said Monday.

“What I can control is trying to keep our attention on getting these players a win before they go out of here, and just focus on what’s going to help in the future, and that’s recruiting and the off-season.”

So now, with the worst football season in Southern Miss history in the books, it will be interesting to see what happens next.

Is getting rid of Johnson and his staff the answer? Was this just a rebuilding year? How will recruiting be impacted?